Chapter 86
(Kyle
Calendar Year 506: Age 13)
Mother's Thoughts
Translator : PolterGlast
"Anne, what about
you? What do you think of him?"
"As a maid, and
sometimes as a guard, I have served Takuhir-sama since his childhood. Perhaps
because of that, I never had such feelings. Of course, as my lord, I respect
and revere him. However... when Clan passed away, while comforting
Takuhir-sama, I became aware of myself as a woman. I felt I wanted to console
him even if it meant dedicating my entire being."
"I understand,
thank you. You've been by his side and watched him the longest, after all. What
about you, Miseri?"
"I respect him.
However, I don't believe it's the feeling of romantic love towards a man. But,
if it is his wish, I would gladly offer both my heart and my body."
"Thank you,
Miseri, but that consideration is unnecessary. He would absolutely never
unreasonably desire you, ignoring your will; I can state that with certainty.
How about you, Claire?"
"His status is
too different from an orphan like me. So, I've always kept my feelings hidden
in my heart. I respect Takuhir-sama as a superior, for saving and trusting
someone like me, and as a man... I adore him."
"Thank you,
Claire. Your straightforward words make me very happy as a mother."
"As I mentioned
earlier, I met with Yoru-san this morning. I noticed her dutiful nature and her
strong feelings of gratitude and respect towards him. I'm sure she will offer
the best hospitality she can to express her gratitude to him for saving her
from the darkness."
"Th-that's!"
"Anne, your
thought is correct. Before that happens, I wanted to confirm your feelings, as
you are Takuhir's trusted companions. I apologize for asking in such a sneaky
way. But I'll say it anyway. Even if Takuhir and Yoru-san were to have such a
relationship, would you all be alright with it? Of course, it might just be a
one-time thing."
"That... I might
dislike it very much. If that happens, I'm sure my perception of her will
change. I might not be able to see her fairly. I clearly feel jealousy
awakening within me right now."
"I don't mind
being second, or third, or any number. If I could receive his mercy just once,
I would serve him forever, making that the support for my heart."
"I... honestly
don't know. I would be very happy if he desired me. But whether I would desire
it myself, I'm not yet sure."
Anne, Claire, and
Miseri answered Chris in that order. Chris could see that the three were
flustered, but she continued. While muttering "I'm sorry" in her
heart...
"Having said all
this, I must tell you something very regrettable. You can think of me as
heartless, I don't mind. As his mother, and as the parent of the Baron's son, I
will deliberately say words that, as another woman, I cannot forgive."
She continued, with a
resolute expression.
"For him to be
united with any of you through mutual affection. Even if that were to happen,
no matter how much Takuhir wished it, I cannot make you his legal wife. Even if
you had children, they could not inherit the title. They would be treated as
concubines and illegitimate children. I know I'm saying something terrible, and
I deserve to be scorned. As a fellow woman, I am truly sorry."
"Even if that
were to happen, I do not wish for any position beyond my current one as his
subordinate."
"Even if that
happens, just being able to serve by his side would be enough."
"I never even
thought of anything so presumptuous."
Again, Anne, Claire,
and Miseri answered in order. But this time, they looked directly back at
Chris, showing no sign of agitation.
"Thank you, and
I'm sorry. As a mother, I ask this of you all. Since he was a child, Takuhir
has been a mysterious child. Unlike children his age, he never indulged in
being pampered by his mother, always thinking of something completely different
from what a child would, and repeatedly showing adult-like words and actions
that were far beyond his years. It's as if he knew of some ominous future event
and was always desperately agonizing, thinking, and devising plans to avoid it.
I vaguely thought so even before he confided the truth to me."
Anne, Claire, and
Miseri nodded profoundly at Chris's words. They, too, to varying degrees, had
felt similarly about Takuhir.
"When he was
eight, he suddenly said he wanted to build a settlement here, and it was very
puzzling then. But now, I'm convinced that this too was to protect this place
in the future. He always thinks alone, worries alone, and surely cries alone.
He seems to be rushing through life, and I can't help but worry about him. I
believe many people support him now. But there's no one he can truly open his
heart to, no one who can support his spirit."
At this point, Chris's
face showed a hint of sadness. And she chuckled self-deprecatingly.
"I can't do it.
As a mother, I can support him. But I can't always be by his side. That's why I
want you all, even if you don't end up together, to be there for him when he
needs to confide his true feelings and worries, to cry when he wants to cry, to
push him forward when he's troubled, and to support his heart. So that his
heart doesn't break under the pressure and sorrow. This is my plea as a foolish
mother."
Saying that, Chris
bowed deeply and respectfully.
"You all know
about the matter with Darek, right? I received a letter of apology from the
Margrave of Hastburg. He apologized for using my important son's future as a
tool in political strife without permission. However, in the capital, no, the
entire kingdom desires talented individuals, and if left unattended, there was
a possibility that those who desired to use him would reach out, even to a
place further away where no one could protect him. Therefore, he reluctantly
decided to protect him in a place within his reach."
Everyone realized anew
the possibility of the same happening to their own lord and turned pale.
"As you all may
have realized, the same applies to Takuhir. And to you all, who are excellent
by anyone's standards. You are superior in ability, and even more so in
appearance. Many men will set their eyes on you. The Solis family is still just
a viscount in the frontier. There are many things we cannot defy if ordered by
many nobles in this country. Even excellent retainers and Mages, if desired by
higher-ranking nobles, unfortunately, cannot refuse. And if he were to lose you
in such a way, he would curse himself and lose his composure. But a wife is
different. Even if it's not the legal wife, to demand a wife is something even
nobles hesitate to do. In my calculations, there's also such a cowardly
motive... What I can promise you now is that, in whatever form, once you become
his wife, I will definitely protect you as family. You, and perhaps your
children, I promise to protect them as long as my power reaches. I'm sorry I
can only make such a promise..."
Chris bowed even
deeper again.
"It's more than I
deserve! Chris-sama, please, raise your head. We too felt your worries,
Chris-sama. We constantly feel protected by Takuhir-sama."
Anne replied to Chris,
looking abashed.
"If we can
support Takuhir-sama's feelings, even a little, then I, Miseri, and Claire are
all willing to do anything gladly. And we fully understand that Takuhir-sama
will never do anything unreasonable. Furthermore, we all understand that if
necessary, we must withdraw ourselves, that we must not be swept away by his
kindness, and that our priority is to support Takuhir-sama's great
endeavor."
Miseri and Claire
nodded profoundly at Anne's words.
"As expected, you
are the three he trusts and relies on the most. Please continue to look after
him from now on. Also, you have a week's grace, so please discuss among
yourselves and decide what to do. I will respect your feelings, and no matter
what conclusion you reach, I will never make you feel uncomfortable. And, in the
unlikely event that he hesitates, tell him, 'His Lady Mother has given
permission.' I think this will allow him to be honest with himself."
Thus ended the secret
talk among the women, involving Chris and the three. Of course, at that time,
Takuhir knew nothing of the conversation's content or Chris's proposal. Later,
he would realize that everything had been decided in his mother's palm. From
his beginning, to what came after, and even further beyond. And probably even
beyond that...
※
The night after the
secret talk between my mother and the three women, Anne visited my bedroom.
"Please pamper
yourself to your heart's content."
At Anne's whisper, I
finally indulged in her kindness, or perhaps generosity—either way. In this
world, I became a man for the first time. I strongly felt anew how much I had
always relied on her and how she had supported me. Anne had always silently
followed my desires without a word. Someday, I must become someone who can
properly protect her... It's simple, even for me, but that's what I thought as
I greeted the morning with Anne.
And the night after
welcoming the morning with Anne, this time Claire came to my bedroom.
"I, a lowly
person like myself, have kept this feeling hidden in my heart all this time. I
will never bind Takuhir-sama. Please grant me your mercy as a memory."
Claire's resolute face
made me feel incredibly fond of her. I knew I was being shameless, but before I
knew it, I found myself embracing her. She had been supporting me ever since I
created the reception office. I will never forget Claire's happy smile at that
moment.
Furthermore... the
night after welcoming the morning with Claire, Miseri-san arrived.
"Miseri, you too?!" I was happy, but I couldn't help but exclaim in
my heart.
"I will never
restrict your position..."
Saying that, she
pushed me down. I was surprised by her boldness, so unlike her usual self, but
I found it incredibly cute. In the previous timeline, days of struggling with
her, working tirelessly to save the declining, no, already declined barony,
flashed through my mind. The old me, I must have truly liked her, I thought.
In the end, this means
everyone summoned that day, right?
『If necessary, I will personally assign a woman I
choose to Darek!』
My mother's words to
my father in Est that day came to mind... I can never defeat my mother.
Probably never. Without knowing my mother's true intentions, I resigned myself
to her initiative and her ability to make things happen.
After welcoming the
morning with Miseri-san, my mother, who had finished preparations to return to
Est, called for me.
"Takuhir, you
understand now, don't you? You've formed deep bonds with the three you trust
most. When I'm not around, if you're troubled, down, or sad, rely on them. But
you must not forget discretion. For the time being, it's a secret between you
and them. You are still too young to father children. Discuss the timing of
nighttime companionship with them. When you turn 15, we will formally consider
candidates for a legal wife, and after that is decided, they will choose
whether to become concubines or live as subordinates."
Eh? When I turn 15, a
legal wife? And them? What does this mean? I was confused.
"You must cherish
them as irreplaceable companions. I will not allow you to be infatuated with
anyone else besides those four!"
Saying only that with
her usual cute smile, my mother happily returned to Est.
Hm? Four, not three...
While only questioning that point, I saw my mother off.
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